Every child deserves to grow up in a home where they are a part of a loving and nurturing family. In the unfortunate instance where a child is removed from the home due to abuse or neglect and placed in the foster care system, there are two primary options for placement: a family-based setting or a group home or institution, often referred to as “congregate care.”

Research shows family-based care is a better option for children placed in foster care, as well as less costly for the child welfare system. Congregate care placements cost child welfare systems seven to ten times more than family-based placements and those costs can be even higher when children require additional behavioral health services. Congregate care placement costs place a further strain on a child welfare system already facing budgetary challenges.

To learn more about why family-based care is a better choice for our children and the commonwealth, check out our latest report, Congregate Foster Care in PA.

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